As the Chargers season continues to disintegrate one has to wonder what has gone terribly wrong. You can point the finger in many directions, but lets take a look at the draft and what the Chargers have failed to do that winning teams are doing.

THE GAME IS WON IN THE TRENCHES

There are some age-old adages in the NFL that have stood the test of time – Defense wins championships, the game is won in the trenches, we need to establish the run game. Are these really true? These sayings all point to one thing in my head and that is strong line play.

Its one thing to say it, but its quite another to put your money where your mouth is. Are successful teams doing these things to win?

Let’s look at the 5 teams with the best records in the league and see what they have done in the first 4 rounds of the draft over the last 3 years.

Notice a trend. In the first 4 rounds of the draft the top 5 teams in the league spend about 50% of their picks on linemen. And none of them have drafted less than 5 lineman over the last 3 years.

Bring in Tom Telesco and the Chargers. Over the last three years the Chargers have drafted 2 line man in the first 4 rounds of the draft. Yep, only 2. And one of those was a reach (Chris Watt). The Chargers also each year have traded away their 4th round pick, leaving them with only 9 picks in the first 4 rounds of the draft over the past 3 years. The Chargers spent 22% of their remaining picks on lineman. Well below the 50% that winning teams were drafting. If you throw in the picks the Chargers traded away it results in 16% of the picks being lineman. That is a long ways from 50%.

I was shocked to find out that the Patriots are currently # 2 in terms of line injuries in the League, right behind the Chargers sitting at # 1

Yet, the Pats consistently draft players whom for their schemes and their plans irrespective of whom they lose to FA and to injuries because both Belichick and Brady rule that team with an iron fist. No one dares to get out of line on that team whether on or off the field even the whacko, colorful and free spirited Gronk! Those who do (murderers included ) get bounced

The fact that Donald Butler is still starting tells you all you need to know about accountability with this sorry franchise.

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I love Tom Krasovic but in yesterday's chat he reckoned Butler was better than the 3 options as back ups i.e. Mays, Dzub and Conner. I don't buy that. Dzub perhaps but Mays has been a player, maybe he has nothing left?, if so why was he brought in? and while Conner didn't set the world on fire monday night he tries hard. Butler does not even try. This should probably be his last season in the NFL. I wonder how long it will take him to spend/blow the $ he has received to date.

I love Tom Krasovic but in yesterday's chat he reckoned Butler was better than the 3 options as back ups i.e. Mays, Dzub and Conner. I don't buy that. Dzub perhaps but Mays has been a player, maybe he has nothing left?, if so why was he brought in? and while Conner didn't set the world on fire monday night he tries hard. Butler does not even try. This should probably be his last season in the NFL. I wonder how long it will take him to spend/blow the $ he has received to date.

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I think Kavell Conner is a quality sub. Going forward, I want us to have no part of Butler. And as bad as Butler is, he is better than Mays (who has nothing left) and Dzubnar (who never had anything to begin with).

I was shocked to find out that the Patriots are currently # 2 in terms of line injuries in the League, right behind the Chargers sitting at # 1

Yet, the Pats consistently draft players whom for their schemes and their plans irrespective of whom they lose to FA and to injuries because both Belichick and Brady rule that team with an iron fist. No one dares to get out of line on that team whether on or off the field even the whacko, colorful and free spirited Gronk! Those who do (murderers included ) get bounced

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Patriots offensive line is also first in adjusted line yards despite all their injuries. Players that have started for New England have been undrafted, practice squad additions and players playing completely out of position. They had their TE playing RT for them this past weekend. They then moved Bryan Stork, who is a C - has never taken a snap anywhere along the line in the NFL, at RT.